The Piercing Truth

This is right from the dictionary and seems to describe Albuquerque, Berry and Schultz. Fascism (f ash ,izem) noun An authoritarian right wing system of government and/or social organization. (in general use) extreme right wing, authoritarian, chauvinistic and/or intolerant views or practices. Fascism tends to include a belief in the supremacy of one group over another, national, ethnic, especially social strata or monetarily; a contempt for democracy, an insistence on obedience to a powerful leader, and a strong demagogic approach. Compliments of one of our Eyes

May 18, 2010

Inquisition

If you watched the Albuquerque City Council for just about any amount of time during the trumped up "immigration debate," you were treated to an example of political grandstanding Albuquerque style. We're all used to this type of "debate" from Congress but the council's not usually quite as blatant in their pursuit of sound bites and political brownie points.

In Congress you can usually spot grandstanding when a senator or representative starts to question a witness, corporate executive, or bureaucrat with question like "don't you think that...?" Then follows those four words with a 10 minute speech about what the poor schelp testifying should be thinking.

Monday's little council melee' was an exercise in fear-mongering. Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, O'Malley and Benton were attempting to conjure up horrific images of citizens of Hispanic decent being dragged from their beds in the middle of the night to be handed over to ICE for interrogation and of victims of domestic violence who are here either legally or illegally being afraid to contact police because of a immigration status check.

The policy itself only applies to those who are arrested and taken into custody. Then it applies to everyone who is arrested regardless of race, creed, or color. Everyone is finger printed. Everyone is checked for immigration status. Just like everyone will be run through NCIC.

The fingerprinting policy alone could result in numerous arrests for outstanding warrants. The truth is most criminals tend to commit more than one crime. Those that have come here illegally have already committed a crime when they chose to ignore U.S. immigration law. How is checking immigration status any different than searching for wants and warrants?

Officers generally check to see if you're wanted for other crimes any time they make a stop. If you're speeding or your brake light is out, they're gonna check. The simple fact is - that information could save their life if they come into contact with someone suspected of a violent crime. Mayor Berry's new administrative policy won't go into effect unless and until a suspect is taken into custody.

[Sidebar]
Much of last night's debate involved whether or not the new "procedure" was a policy. Councilors Garduno and Sanchez were in a bit of a twist over the distinction. They claimed that if it was a "policy" then the city council should have been consulted.

The City of Albuquerque has a strong executive form of government. The mayor and his designees are charged with setting administrative policy. If the council wants to weigh-in they have the authority to do so through their charter granted legislative authority. Their efforts failed.[End Sidebar]

As we've said before, Mayor Berry's new policy might have prevented the rape of a 6 year old girl. And oddly enough, Governor Bill Richardson agrees.

CYFD has not been reporting them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2006, when Mary-Dale Bolson, then secretary of CYFD, suspended a state regulation requiring CYFD to do so, CYFD spokeswoman Romaine Serna said Monday.

But that regulation, which required CYFD to report all foreign nationals entering its system, was in place when Juan Gonzalez, a Mexican national who's now 20 years old, was accused in 2005 of raping a 6-year-old boy and molesting a 3-year-old girl.

Look... The idea that immigration should only be enforced at the border is an abrogation of responsibility. In fact it encourages illegal immigration by removing the threat of deportation if an illegal can just make it far enough into the country.

Monday night's council meeting reminded us of the Spanish Inquisition with Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, Benton, and O'Malley acting as Grand Inquisitors. All that was lacking was an order to tie Mayor Berry's representatives to a rock and throw them in Tingley Beach to see if they float. If they float, the policy's evil and can be burned at the stake. If they drown, then... well... oops.

27 comments:

Anonymous
said...

If Chief Ray Schultz had fired the cop who was arrested or charged with other crimes before he raped a prisoner he was transporting she would have been protected. There's always that big word "IF". APD needs to police themselves before the citizens of Alb can count on them to do things equitably.s

Councilor Garduno was in rare form at the council meeting. At one point he said he didn't know what "probable cause" meant for police officers. Then the next time he had the chance to speak he explained how the new policy would lead to police "entrapment".

Wow, he doesn't know what probable cause is, but he knows what entrapment is. Who the heck elected this guy? By the way, councilors create and maintain the city criminal code. So if Garduno doesn't know what probably cause is, he needs to read up on it before he signs off on any more legislation for Albuquerque Police Officers to enforce.

Just to help him out here are two definations.

Probable Cause: A reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime. Facts that would lead a prudent person to believe that a suspect has committed, is committing or is about to committ a crime.

Entrapment: is when a person is induced or persuaded by law enforcement officers, or their agents, to commit a crime that he had no previous intent to commit.

So there you have it Rey. I don't see how the Mayor's new policy is Entrapment, as the police are not inducing citizens to commit any crime. But you know what, in Rey's world we are all victims.

Good points Eye! Don't break the law and your immigration status will not be questioned. I am never a fan of new laws or more government to enforce, but seriously...when are we going to catch the clue that most crime is committed by the few. How do we catch those few? We enforce the laws we already have and check the backgrounds of the ones we catch breaking the law. Don't just let people back on the streets. I know...a repeat of your point, but sometimes people have to hear the obvious multiple times for it to set in. JT

It seems Garduno and Sanchez want to be the immigration police. Sorry but their convictions do not sway the majority of Albuquerque. OMalley and Benton are both non factors as there is not much positive they have accomplished in their terms. Maybe Garduno and Sanchez should go to Mexico and help fix the ills and causes of why Mexicans are willing to illegally enter USA.

Arizona's new anti-illegal immigration law should remind us of the Nuremberg laws instituted by Germany in the 1930's and 40's, seeking to dehumanize and denigrate Jews, Gypsies, gays and other "undesirable" people.

Will the next proposal be having illegal immigrants wear yellow badges on their clothes, or tattoos on their arms, for easy identification and permissible discrimination?

Sadly, we have seen the direction a society travels when a group of people of a designated ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation are blamed for all society's problems. Once this group is singled out and demonized, it becomes slowly and steadily more acceptable to further discriminate, punish, humiliate and torment them.

In Arizona, illegal Latin American immigrants have become the scapegoats for the state's economic and social problems (I don't see Canadian illegals being targeted).

While a lot of people in Arizona are engaging in illegal activity, it is only the illegal immigrants who can be stopped, interrogated, harassed and arrested for any reason the police deem meets the incredibly vague definition of "reasonable suspicion." This movement is driven by barely concealed bigotry and clearly has little to do with punishing lawbreakers.

I am certain the Arizona law will be stuck down as blatantly unconstitutional as it is un-American.

This type of legitimized discrimination is a dangerous road to travel and we need to be continually vigilant that we do not create a historical chapter we will regret.

(Edited quotes from "Letters to the Editor" in this morning's journal)

Hispanics in the South Valley are concerned with the likes of White running the police policies when it comes to their kind. It's just a matter of time that another law suit will emerge as a result of profiling and civil rights violations by this Gestopo

Couple comments up;Why did Darren endorse Berry and involve himself this time around and not Brad Winter four years ago?Because he had nothing to gain by helping Brad. He was secure in his job. This go around he needed a job. So since Berry was such an easy mark and could bullshit him, he set himself up at the taxpayer's buffet table.Typical self promoting and self serving.

Darren helps no one, unless there's something in it for him; like an appointment.. Self serving.He won't even help or acknowledge the friends that helped him out over the years. Republicans are not happy with RJ and his political favor by appointing Darren White.(and keeping Ray)Is our mayor that dependent and inept to have to make such arrangements?Many republicans will shy away from voting for Suzanna Martinez for that very same reason. Sorry Suzanna, you've lost my vote.Darren is the kiss of death for you.

Ray Garduno has done a pretty poor job of helping his district as well. Tried to contact him several times about business related issues in his area, he never called back. He's just in his job for the glory.

If Darren has a problem with the 'Eye' , it's his own damn fault.Going around bad mouthing like he has about people who thought he was their friend.You had a lot of friends but like Judas, you threw them aside for the 30 pieces of silver ( Berry & Schultz)They won't be around when you have no value to them. So in the end you have no true friends anymore, just aquaintences, political pawns that eat their own.

Just watched GMA - an interview with George Stephanopolous and Rand Paul the new nominee in Kentucky. Seems he thinks it would be ok for privately owned restaurants to refuse service to minorities. The Tea Party candidate has a problem with some of the 60's civil rights. This is just the tip of the iceberg if Arizona's law goes into effect. You American Hispanics that think the law is ok you will just be opening the door for the racists out there. If someone in Kentucky kicks you out of their restaurant because you are a minority. I guarantee you will have a problem with it. This last year has just proved racism is alive and well.

Above comment; heard that same story today.What's up with that?Darren sure buds it up with some real seedy people, like the guy running the car lot, undercover car repair place. Now there's a real pillar of society.

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